Let stand at room temperature for 3 to 24 hours or until dry to the touch.

Gently knead for 10 to 15 strokes or until mixture is smooth and pliable.

If mixture is too soft, chill in the refrigerator about 15 minutes or until easy to handle (or knead in enough powdered sugar to stiffen the mixture). Store any unused mixture in a sealed plastic bag at room temperature for 3 to 4 weeks (mixture will stiffen with storage; before using, knead mixture until it is pliable). Flatten mixture slightly; place between 2 sheets of waxed paper dusted with powdered sugar. Roll to 1/8-inch thickness. Using leaf-shaped cutters or a knife, cut into shapes. Use a wooden toothpick to draw veins on leaves. Curve leaves as desired.

Apple Rose: Starting at the tip of an unpeeled, extra-thin fresh apple slice, roll up diagonally to form a cone shape for the rose center. Press on additional slices, curving around center to make thin petals. Add enough of these thin petals to make a rose.

Tip: There is a misconception surrounding the cheesecake - that it’s tricky and temperamental. Here are a few tips to dispel those rumors and ensure success:

Blend cheese and sugar thoroughly before adding anything else; once the batter thins, it is difficult to smooth out the lumps.

Avoid overbeating, especially after adding the eggs. Overbeating incorporates too much air, causing the cake to puff, then fall and crack.

Don’t overbake. An overbaked cheesecake is a dry and cracked cheesecake, so check it at the minimum baking time. The cheesecake is done when the center appears nearly set. A 1-inch area at its center will jiggle slightly when the cheesecake is done (it will firm up as the cake cools). Don’t do a knife or toothpick test in the cake’s center - it makes a crack. And if there is sour cream in the batter, the knife won’t come out clean even when the cheesecake is done.

Set a timer for the exact cooling time given in the recipe. When it rings, carefully loosen the crust of the cheesecake from the pan. If you wait, the cheesecake may begin pulling away from the sides and crack